Porto is a charming town, situated on the slopes of the Douro River near its mouth already. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its beautiful monuments and historical buildings like the imposing Cathedral and the Tower of the Clerics, Porto is the second largest city of Portugal and has superb views of the world-famous Port Wine Cellars, on the shore opposite the river in Vila Nova de Gaia.Though largely industrialized, the Port offers a harmonious synthesis of ancient and contemporary attractions.The Port District is a dynamic center of commerce and industry, filled with beautiful villages and prosperous cities. Along the coast, you can pause the resort town of Espinho, in Matosinhos taste delicious fish or spend some time relaxing at the Casino da Póvoa. For the interior, there is the beautiful town of Amarante, known for its delicious pastries, which can take a stroll along the banks of the river between manors of the seventeenth century.Places to Visit

Caves do Vinho do Porto (Vila Nova de Gaia)Rising front of the historic center of Oporto on the south bank of the Douro River, the Port Wine Cellars are a major tourist attraction. This sweet and fortified wine is produced from grapes grown in the Douro region and sent to the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where it is prepared and aged. Visitors can choose from more than 50 caves along the river to discover the dozens of varieties of port, which is today one of the most famous in the world.Cathedral (Porto)The imposing Cathedral of Porto was completed in the thirteenth century, although it has undergone many changes over the centuries. With beautiful carvings, paintings, sculptures, treasures of religious art and a Romanesque rose window, in addition to beautiful Chapel Baptismal, coated with polychrome marbles, tiles and beautiful baroque cloister and the balcony, this is undoubtedly a fascinating monument.Tower of Gaia (Porto)This Baroque-style bell tower was completed in 1763 and dominates the old town. It is the tallest of its kind in the country, and visitors can climb the 225 steps to admire his views. The adjacent Church of the Clerics is an excellent example of a synthesis of Baroque and Rococo architectural styles and displays an elaborate facade, beautiful carvings and a remarkable pipe organ, 1774.Casa da Musica (Porto)Designed for the event Porto European Capital of Culture in 2001, the House of Music is a dynamic and modern concert hall dedicated to the creation and celebration of music. It is also an important cultural center with guided tours, workshops, a restaurant and several bars where visitors can relax. The great diversity of events ranges from jazz to classical music and performances by international DJs the world music performances.Palacio da Bolsa (Porto)Displaying an impressive neoclassical facade, the former Stock Exchange Palace, the Port was built in the nineteenth century. Its most famous attraction is the Arab Hall, a lush Moorish style inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada often used as a reception hall for visiting heads of state. The magnificent interior decoration includes sculptures, paintings and frescoes of the authorship of many Portuguese masters.The building also houses many cultural events and exhibitions, along with a restaurant.Museum (Oporto)Surrounded by vast gardens used for outdoor events, the Museum of Contemporary Art Serralves occupies a modern building designed by architect Alvaro Siza Vieira. It has a remarkable collection of national and international works after 1960, and organizes a wide variety of cultural events, including concerts and educational workshops for children.Old Value Chain (Porto)The ancient and austere headquarters of the Court of Appeal is one of the most emblematic buildings in the history of Porto. Begun in 1765, the structure of triangular shape is designed to also house the prison of the court, which must now name.Numerous personalities have passed through their cells, including Camilo Castelo Branco, who wrote his famous novel Doomed Love arrested while he was here. Since 2001, the building houses the Portuguese Center for Photography, but still maintains many original features.Building of the Douro Wines Institute and Porto (Porto)The building of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro and Porto is at the heart of the historic port and houses the institution responsible for quality and authenticity of wines from the Douro. In the lobby, stone can admire the most important dates in the history of producing these wines. There is also a space dedicated to its promotion, which includes guided visits to testing laboratories, wine tasting and a shop.Garden of St. Lazarus (Porto)Dating back to 1834, the Garden of Saint Lazarus is the oldest garden city of Porto and is filled with old lime trees, magnolias and acacias, and beds, beautiful sculptures, a bandstand and a fountain of marble that once belonged to the convent of St. Sundays.Jardim do Passeio Alegre (Porto)Situated on the banks of the Douro estuary, this romantic garden was opened in 1870 and has mature trees. Its fountain, designed by Nasoni, is a national monument, Swiss Chalet and coffee was an important meeting place for intellectuals in the late nineteenth century. Beautiful avenues lined with palm trees, ancient pines and many other plants, the splendor and poetic beauty of the Garden of Passeio Alegre make it one of the most appreciated by the inhabitants of Porto.Source: www.portugal-live.net